Option declined following 2019 season.
Joao Pedro, a strong all-around No. 8, was brought in to help strengthen LA's central midfield in 2017 after enjoying a breakout season in the Portuguese first division. He was loaned to Apollon Smyrnis, where he made six appearances before being moved to Tondela in Portugal's Primeira Liga.
OUTSIDE MLS: Joao Pedro, a product of Vermil, Portugal, has been a part of Portuguese side Vitória Guimarães since 2005, when he joined the club’s youth academy. Since then, he has risen up the ranks to earn a starting position in central midfield on the first team in the Primeira Liga, Portugal’s top division. The Portuguese midfielder has helped his side to fifth place in the Liga Primeira standings this season, starting in each of his team’s 17 matches while scoring a goal during the 2016 - 2017 season. Prior to his time in the Primeira Liga, Pedro excelled as a member of Vitória Guimarães II, the club’s second team in LigaPro, Portugal’s second division, when he signed his first professional contract as a 19-year-old before going on to make over 100 appearances.
